TEAM
THAT COULD SURPRISEBAYLOR - Just getting
the Bears into a bowl game would be
a major surprise considering they have
not seen action in the post-season in
15 years. A 4-8 team last year, Baylor
lost three of those games by a touchdown
or less in arguably the toughest division
in college football. Robert Griffin
is one of the youngest versatile quarterbacks
in the country and is a perfect fit
for coach Art Brile’s spread attack.
The defense has a potent back seven
where a few players could prove worthy
of All-American mention, a great combo
for this conference.

TEAM
THAT COULD DISAPPOINTCOLORADO - Head coach
Dan Hawkins enters his fourth season.
Hopes were that by now he could at least
get his Buffs into the North Division
hunt. But the defensive line goes through
a major rebuilding effort and this offense,
with some quality talent at running
back, has not been able to keep up with
the Big 12 high scoring affairs. If
a quarterback does not step up to keep
this defense off the field, Colorado
could be left not only out of the division
race, but also out of bowl contention
again.

COLORADOSTRENGTHS:
The Buffs are stacked
at running back. Demetrius
Sumler, Rodney Stewart
and Darrell Scott (who
was widely considered
as the nation’s
top running back prospect
in the 2007 recruiting
class) form a stellar
trio. Riar Greer is one
of the better tight ends
in the Big 12. Plenty
of experience is available
on the offensive line;
center Daniel Sanders
was the only departure.
All-Big 12 honoree Jeff
Smart leads a talented
linebacker unit.

CONCERNS:
The defensive line goes
through a major rebuilding
effort, where three starters
need to be replaced. At
least two freshmen are
expected to compete for
playing time there. The
team's top return man
and quality receiver,
Josh Smith, decided to
transfer, leaving the
wide-outs in dire need
of playmakers. Incumbent
QB Cody Hawkins will benefit
from two years as the
starting signal caller,
while Tyler Hansen has
also logged significant
snaps at the position.
Still, this offense under
either’s direction
has not fared well in
the statistical department.
The kicking game will
be looking for redemption
after missing eight field
goals in a row in 2008.

PROGNOSIS:
This is the fourth year
for head coach Dan Hawkins.
His offense has to produce
better numbers after ranking
in the bottom third of
the league the past three
seasons. The running backs
have superstar potential,
so look for the Buffs
to lean heavy on the ground
game. Without this aspect,
they could easily struggle,
especially seeing how
the defense is not expected
to be as productive as
they were last fall. Keeping
up with the rest of the
Big 12’s offensive
fireworks does not appear
to be what's in store…again.
Colorado should be favored
in their first three games,
after that the conference
schedule tightens which
makes finally getting
over the .500 hump a tough
task.

PROJECTED
RECORD: 6-6

IOWA STATESTRENGTHS:
QB Austen Arnaud has a
chance to explode in this
spread attack, the same
one new coordinator Tom
Herman used at Rice. Nine
starters are back on this
side of the football.
The ball carriers are
a talented group led by
Alexander Robinson. This
is a unit designed to
compete by-committee.
The receivers continue
to show promise with last
year's true freshmen,
Darius Darks and Sedrick
Johnson, still making
strides.

CONCERNS:
A defense that was shredded
a year ago is still extremely
young and lacking prime
time players. The secondary
got torched and will still
have issues applying tight
coverage, especially when
the rebuilt defensive
line continues to have
trouble pressuring quarterbacks.
It all spells trouble
stopping the league’s
high-octane attacks.

PROGNOSIS:
New head coach Paul Rhoads
comes to Iowa State after
he was just Auburn’s
defensive coordinator,
and ironically takes over
for Gene Chizik, who left
to take the head-coaching
job at Auburn. Rhoads
will take over a program
that went winless in conference
play last fall. The experience
on offense with Austen
Arnaud at quarterback
is going to score some
points as they join their
conference brethren operating
a worthy spread offense.
However, the defense is
also going to give up
its share of points once
again. Producing more
defensive stops is a must,
ergo don't look for any
major breakthroughs, or
even a bowl bid in 2009.

PROJECTED
RECORD: 3-9

KANSASSTRENGTHS:
Scrambling QB Todd Reesing
returns for his senior
season and has more talent
around him than he has
had at any time in Lawrence.
Receiver Dezmon Briscoe
(92 receptions in '08)
is a preseason All-American
and former QB Kerry Meier
(97 receptions in '08)
is back for another year
of producing big time
plays/catches. Senior
RB Jake Sharp scored 12
touchdowns last year and
is another weapon out
of the backfield. The
DBs had some issues last
fall, but most teams’
secondaries struggled
against the other Big
12 offenses. The good
part is that all four
starters return, led by
another preseason All-American
in Darrell Stuckey at
safety.

CONCERNS:
All three starting linebackers
are gone, but especially
missed will be Joe Mortensen’s
and James Holt’s
defensive leadership.
The offensive line is
young, inexperienced,
and needs to make plenty
of improvement in the
run-blocking area. Moreover,
Reesing is getting harassed
way too much, which will
not help his Heisman cause
or his injury fate. The
same was true last fall
after Reesing’s
stellar sophomore outing
two years ago.

PROGNOSIS:
After winning 20 games
and two bowls in the past
two years, there is plenty
of confidence surrounding
the program. However,
both lines of scrimmage
still have question marks
in terms of matching up
with other Big 12 heavyweights.
If Kansas can find some
consistency on defense,
they should win the Big
12 North Division. They
desperately need to beat
one of the South Division
powerhouses on the regular
season schedule to be
taken seriously on a national
level. But KU looks to
be 6-0 heading into the
pivotal Oklahoma game.

PROJECTED
RECORD: 9-3

KANSAS STATESTRENGTHS:
Coach Snyder’s back,
and the man who built
this program from the
ground up a few decades
back has pointed to his
linebackers out of spring
camp as the best unit
on defense. In fact, the
entire front seven has
a chance to make huge
strides compared to last
fall as the front line
with three starters returning
continues to grow. Getting
Virginia transfer Jeffrey
Fitzgerald to step in
at defensive tackle and
produce as expected will
really help. Jeron Mastrud
continues to man the tight
end spot after starting
29 games. Smallish Brandon
Banks (5'7) was last season’s
Big 12 Newcomer of the
Year after topping 1,000
receiving yards.

CONCERNS:
Replacing rangy Josh Freeman
at QB will be the top
priority. Last year's
back up Carson Coffman
gets first shot, though,
he will be pushed by three
others, including JUCO
transfer Daniel Thomas.
All are drop back style
passers, which leaves
a running QB out of the
equation. The running
backs are all new faces
and each is less than
6'0 tall. While there
are a good many returning
starters back on defense,
this group ranked 117th
(out of 120 teams) for
total effort. This KSU
D has yet to prove it’s
able to stop either the
run or the pass, and the
better Big 12 foes will
eat them up if this continues.

PROGNOSIS:
Returning head coach Bill
Snyder, who will turn
70 during the season,
is idolized in Manhattan,
KS. Realistically however,
the expectations in his
first year back won't
be miracles, like they
were in his initial “first
year” of 1988. Just
showing signs of hope
and recovery should be
sufficient for now. A
good many starters return
but the depth charts are
thin in terms of back
ups. The schedule is not
too demanding, but this
is also not the same conference
Snyder left in 2005 when
he first retired. A winning
season will be difficult
without a proven quarterback.

PROJECTED
RECORD: 5-7

MISSOURISTRENGTHS:
Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon
is a front-runner for
the Butkus Award. He can
literally be a one-man
show at times. The running
backs appear to be the
strength of the offense
with All-Big 12 performer
Derrick Washington backed
up by talented De'Vion
Moore. Losing a quarterback
like Chase Daniel would
be a blow to most, but
replacement Blaine Gabbert
was widely considered
the nation's top pro-style
QB out of high school.
His 6'5 frame and accompanying
strong arm are a plus,
but he can also scramble
too. How long Gabbert
takes to develop could
translate into more/less
wins, depending.

CONCERNS:
Losing Chase Daniel along
with the solidity of receiver
Jeremy Maclin and tight
end Chase Coffman (NFL)
is enough to take Mizzou
off of many top 25 radar.
The biggest problem, however,
will be rebuilding what
was an already marginal
defense; coaches have
to replace seven starters.
The secondary has been
extremely erratic, giving
up way too many big plays.
That has to (and can)
change with new faces.
Also needing replaced
is Jeff Wolfert, the most
accurate kicker in NCAA
history.

PROGNOSIS:
If QB Blaine Gabbert can
perform as he did for
most of spring camp, the
offensive drop off most
are expecting won't be
too dramatic. With talent
in the backfield a more
balanced approach will
be the order, taking some
of the pressure off a
passing game missing most
of the components from
last fall. A duplication
of the 2008 defensive
struggles would prove
devastating. Not many
will see Mizzou as the
same threat, but there
is more than enough talent
to surprisingly compete
with Kansas and Nebraska
for the North Division
crown.

PROJECTED
RECORD: 7-5

NEBRASKASTRENGTHS:
All-American senior defensive
tackle Ndamukong Suh is
the poster child of a
much-improved Husker defense
under the Pelini coaching
brothers. The entire defense
finished ranked in the
top three of every conference
statistical category last
fall. The secondary has
a chance to genuinely
improve with four returning
starters back in this
five-back (nickel) set
and they are all veterans.
Marlon Lucky is gone at
running back, but Roy
Helu Jr. and Quentin Castille
continue to give Nebraska
an edge in the ground
game. Alex Henery is the
most accurate kicker in
school history.

CONCERNS:
Husker fans will hold
their breath when a new
QB takes the field. Zac
Lee gets the early nod,
haing thrown only two
career passes. Unfortunately
he is the most experienced
hurler they’ve got.
The big time loss of receivers
Nate Swift and Todd Peterson
leaves a huge void that
won't help the new signal
caller. The linebackers
will all be new to their
full-time roles.

PROGNOSIS:
The “Blackshirt”
defense is beginning to
turn to corner towards
the better, an issue that
has killed this program
the past five or so seasons.
The defensive line and
secondary look to be even
stronger, and depth is
no longer a major issue.
They will have to play
their best as the offense
likely goes through major
growing pains. Classic
Husker power football
with the talented backs
will be the order until
some new receivers mesh
with (whoever becomes)
the new quarterback. Nebraska
is nowhere close to matching
the likes of those lethal
South Division powers,
but they are a favorite
by many to win the North.

PROJECTED
RECORD: 8-4

SOUTH
DIVISION

BAYLORSTRENGTHS:
Robert Griffin is one
of the most versatile
quarterbacks in the country
and was a Freshman All-American
in 2008. His legs and
arm make him a perfect
fit in coach Art Brile's
spread option attack.
His passing numbers will
only get better with all
the receivers back again.
All-American Joe Pawelek
is the hub of the defense
from his middle linebacker
spot, while safety Jordan
Lake is the fiercest tackler
in the Big 12. The whole
defensive back seven will
have a chance to really
take some huge steps forward.

CONCERNS:
The Bears are
rebuilding the offensive
line. The search for two
new tackles, especially
at the spot where first
round NFL draft pick Jason
Smith lined up, could
lead to a few problems.
The interior of the defensive
line gains Penn State
transfer Phil Taylor at
DT, and looks fine so
far. But the ability to
produce sacks on the outside
is sorely missing, and
two untested sophomores
assume the starting roles.

PROGNOSIS:
This easily could be the
best Baylor team in 15
seasons, the last time
they went bowling. Granted
the Bears were only 4-8
last season, but three
of those losses were by
a touchdown or less, and
this is arguably the toughest
division in college football.
The offensive line needs
to gel quickly, for the
first two games against
Wake Forest and Connecticut
will set the tone. Griffin
is an explosive quarterback
and makes this system
extremely efficient at
gaining both yards and
points. The defense has
eight starters back and
is looking to be much
improved. Baylor is no
longer a push over by
a long shot. Don't be
surprised if they play
a big time spoiler role
against one (or more)
of the big boys.

PROJECTED
RECORD: 6-6

OKLAHOMASTRENGTHS:
The Sooners have a Heisman
Trophy winner in QB Sam
Bradford, a consensus
All-American at tight
end in Jermaine Gresham,
and two 1,000-yard rushers
in the backfield with
DeMarco Murray and Chris
Brown. The front seven
on defense could be the
story in Norman for 2009
- every single starter
returns. Five of them
(English, McCoy, Beal,
Reynolds and Lewis) are
widely considered to be
All-American candidates
by season's end.

CONCERNS:
No doubt the offensive
line is the biggest question
mark. Four longtime starters
are history. There is
always plenty of talent
running around in this
secondary, but they have
had their difficulties
stopping the big play,
lacking consistency overall.
Two unproven safeties
will have to change these
fortunes. The wide receivers
rotate outside of talented
Ryan Broyles. Bradford's
accurate arm, though,
likely makes them proven
commodities pretty quickly.

PROGNOSIS:
This no-huddle, ever-more-efficient
offense – that seemingly
has too many stars at
the skill positions –
will be lighting up scoreboards
once again. Whoever steps
in to do the blocking
almost won't matter, but
the OL gelling will be
the key for OU to continue
scoring at 2008’s
record-setting pace. This
is huge news as the defense
with nine starters back
should be twice as good
compared to a year ago
when they started playing
much better football towards
the end of November and
into the title games.
There is no question this
lineup is filled with
future NFL talents. OU
is looking for its fourth-consecutive
Big 12 title. That won't
be enough since this year’s
motto of “BCS title
game or Bust” is
the true state of mind
in Norman.

PROJECTED
RECORD: 11-1

OKLAHOMA STATESTRENGTHS:
Looking for offensive
balance? The Cowboys gained
more than 3,000 yards
both on the ground and
through the air in the
last two falls. Through
these feats three players
are now seriously in the
early 2009 Heisman Race.
Senior QB Zac Robinson
stirs the pot and is one
of the best dual-threat
signal callers found anywhere.
Kendall Hunter rushed
for 1,555 yards, while
receiver Dez Bryant hauled
in 1,480 yards receiving.
Bryant is also an electric
return man. Both offensive
tackles are solid, led
by preseason All-American
Russell Okung. Defensively,
their strength comes from
all three starters at
linebacker returning.

CONCERNS:
The Achilles Heel could
easily be in the secondary,
where only Perrish Cox
returns. The defensive
line produced the conference's
worst sack totals last
fall...not a good combination
for Big 12 play. Someone
else other than Dez Bryant
needs to take up some
of the slack running routes,
especially with NFL bound
Brandon Pettigrew gone
at tight end.

PROGNOSIS:
With almost the entire
offense – one that
ranked among the Top 10
nationally in every major
offensive category - returning,
the upstart Cowboys become
this year's version of
Texas Tech. The games
in Stillwater, which includes
the two huge home openers
against tough non-cons
Georgia and a rising Houston
ball club plus monstrous
visits from conference
competitors Texas and
Texas Tech, will surely
be entertaining. New defensive
coordinator Bill Young
faces a daunting challenge
slowing down the league’s
offensive powerhouses
with limited talent and
experience in the defensive
backfield. OSU starts
the season in the top
10 of most every preseason
polls, they won't be able
to surprise anyone.

PROJECTED
RECORD: 10-2

TEXASSTRENGTHS:
Four-year starter Colt
McCoy continues to lead
the Longhorns in both
rushing and passing. Such
was good enough for his
second-place finish in
last year's Heisman Race,
and production levels
won't change. Getting
preseason All-American
Jordan Shipley back for
a sixth year of eligibility
at receiver makes this
bunch both extremely experienced
and deep. What could make
the offensive fortunes
even better is a front
line with major expectations.
Center Chris Hall and
tackle Adam Ulatoski are
some of the league’s
best. The secondary has
a chance to be much improved;
though young, all have
seen plenty of snaps.

CONCERNS:
While talented, the defensive
line that finished last
season as the nation's
No. 1 sack producer should
see a drop off after losing
so many quality players,
especially physical freak
Brian Orakpo. Sergio Kindle
has been moved from linebacker
to end in an effort to
duplicate similar numbers.
The tight end position
is unsettled, as Greg
Smith is mostly used for
his blocking skills.

PROGNOSIS:
Can they beat Oklahoma?
The debate just will not
go away. Even the winner
of this Red River Rivalry
in Dallas can't be assured
of a spot in the national
championship game as the
Horns sorely found out
last fall. For Texas to
overcome the Oklahoma
hurdle, they need to get
more out of a talented
secondary as the pass
rush isn't quite as fierce.
There is an abundance
of deep riches at most
every position in Austin,
and this Colt McCoy-led
offense will continue
to outscore (most) every
opponent. Look for the
running game to be a more
integral factor as this
offensive line has the
potential to be lethal.
Like it or not, the song
remains the same with
the same faces and places...Texas
or Oklahoma?

PROJECTED
RECORD: 11-1

TEXAS A&MSTRENGTHS:
Being short on offensive
skill talent won't be
a problem. If Jerrod Johnson
continues to elevate his
game, the passing arsenal
is in good hands (were
27th nationally throwing
the ball). Johnson also
set a school record with
21 TDs. A pair of exciting
targets exists in Ryan
Tannehill (also playing
a dual role lining up
at QB) and Jeff Fuller
while the experience lining
up on the outside with
them is deep. Three different
ball carriers each offer
something positive; Cyrus
Gray broke the school's
freshman record for all-purpose
yards

CONCERNS:
Simply put, no one is
blocking or tackling.
The Aggies offensive line
was swamped last fall
allowing 39 sacks, 23
more than their defense
managed. The running game
has suffered and the quarterback
is running for his life.
The bigger challenge will
be getting more out a
defense that was one of
the nation’s worst
in almost every category.

PROGNOSIS:
The defense is far removed
from the ole Wreckin'
Crew days when A&M
physically punished opponents.
Expect some improvements
on this side, as the final
outcome can't get any
worse. Like most Big 12
teams, the offense has
serious potential assuming
the offensive line can
block somebody. But that
is a big "IF".
More likely, when both
lines of scrimmage are
uninspiring, such would
make for another long
season. This team will
be better than last year,
but that still will not
be enough to get the Aggies
bowl eligible. even when
the light non-conference
schedule allows for a
3-0 start.

PROJECTED
RECORD: 4-8

TEXAS TECHSTRENGTHS:
Taylor Potts, head coach
Mike Leach’s latest
QB phenom find, is the
new kid on the block.
The 6'5 strong-armed signal
caller takes over where
the previous five signal
callers left off, thriving
in a system built for
raking up offensive (passing)
numbers. Depth at receiver
leaves plenty of room
for optimism despite the
loss of Michael Crabtree.
Veterans like Edward Britton
and Detron Lewis will
make sure these crazy
receiver sets continue
the traditions. Both senior
tackles Brandon Carter
and Marlon Winn are as
good as any in the league.
The ray of sunshine on
defense will be all three
starters returning at
LB.

CONCERNS:
In this conference, no
player turnover (from
an offensive standpoint)
was as big - only four
starters return. The offensive
line has plenty of holes
right up the middle. Expect
Brandon Carter to shift
inside (to guard) in an
attempt to remedy the
situation. Two star safeties
need be replaced as the
secondary goes through
a rebuilding phase. The
pass rush has a few questions
of its own since Brandon
Williams bolted early
for the NFL and McKinner
Dixon still sits out due
to suspension.

PROGNOSIS:
The overall number of
starters coming back is
pretty small, and Texas
Tech is predicted to take
a conference back seat
this time around, compared
to the likes of Texas,
Oklahoma and Okie State.
Ho, hum...per usual, coach
Mike Leach and his new
$12.7 million contract
says, "Bring on the
doubters!" Tech will
continue to find numbers
success on offense, but
they cannot afford to
settle for shootouts as
the defense has major
questions concerning their
ability to slow down opposing
aerial attacks. Rebuilding
is not an option, but
repeating another 11-1
regular season is not
a reasonable expectation.

PROJECTED
RECORD: 8-4

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